Burnley and Leicester City meet at Turf Moor in a crunch relegation clash with both teams' Premier League futures hanging in the balance.
The Foxes have made a surge towards safety in recent weeks with a run of excellent form, while Sean Dyche's men have fought a continuous battle to free themselves from the bottom three this season.
Burnley
© Getty Images
The Clarets' battle against relegation from the top flight took another blow last week in their 1-0 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park as Kevin Mirallas's first-half strike decided the contest.
Worryingly for Dyche's men the match reflected the tone of their season as his team played well but they were unable to take any points from the game, while they also lost Ashley Barnes to suspension.
Burnley are now bottom of the Premier League, two points adrift of safety, with time running out to claw themselves to safety as just five matches remain in the campaign.
The Clarets have struggled since the middle of January as they have won just once in their last 12 matches, and they are currently on a four-game winless streak.
Goals have been a major issue for Burnley in recent times as they have scored just one in their last six matches. The form of Danny Ings is a concern for Dyche because the last of his nine strikes in the campaign came back in February, a run that stretches eight matches.
Dyche's side's home form has kept them in the battle against the drop this season as they have claimed four vital victories at Turf Moor, and that will have to continue to give the club a fighting chance.
However, only two of the club's remaining matches this season are in front of their home supporters, meaning that a victory over the Foxes is vital to their survival hopes.
Recent form: LWLDLL
Leicester
© Getty Images
Nigel Pearson's men have given themselves a real chance of pulling off a great escape after picking up three wins in their last three matches in the Premier League.
The Foxes have come into form at just the right time in the season, and their feat could echo the accomplishment of Sunderland last season, when they rose from the foot of the table to safety in the last month of the campaign.
Leicester lie in the relegation zone only on goal difference, and are also boosted by the fact that they have a game in hand over some of their relegation rivals entering the climax of the season.
Pearson's men have played well throughout the campaign, but have now started to earn positive results to go along with their plaudits from their recent displays.
The Foxes' winning run has mainly been down to their success in front of the net as they have scored seven goals in their last three matches, which have come from six different players to highlight the team ethos Pearson has built at the King Power Stadium.
The club's form on the road will be of concern to Pearson as his side's victory over West Bromwich Albion was their first away from home since December. In total, the Foxes have accumulated just 11 of their 28 points on their travels this season.
However, with four of their remaining six matches at the King Power Stadium there will be a great deal of optimism around the club that they can avoid the drop into the Championship.
Recent form: LDLWWW
Team News
© Getty Images
Burnley will be without Ashley Barnes, who was sent off in their defeat to Everton last week, as he serves his one-match ban.
Lukas Jutkiewicz or Michael Kightly could start in place of Barnes at Turf Moor, meanwhile the Clarets will also be without long-term absentee Dean Marney as he is out with a torn ACL.
David Nugent is a major doubt for the clash for Leicester as he is struggling with a calf injury he sustained in the warm-up ahead of his side's win over Swansea City.
Marcin Wasilewski is also in battle for fitness after missing the second half of the victory over the Swans as Ritchie de Laet is ready to come into the team to replace the defender.
Burnley possible starting lineup:
Heaton, Trippier, Duff, Shackell, Mee, Boyd, Arfield, Jones, Kightly, Vokes, Ings
Leicester possible starting lineup:
Schmeichel, Wasilewski, Huth, Morgan, Albrighton, King, Cambiasso, Schlupp, Ulloa, Vardy, Kramaric
Head To Head
The teams played out a 2-2 draw in their meeting earlier this season as a late strike from Ross Wallace earned the Clarets a valuable point at the King Power Stadium.
In the last clash at Turf Moor, Leicester claimed a 2-0 victory in their surge towards promotion thanks to goals from Chris Wood and Nugent.
The result summed up the Foxes' recent dominance at Turf Moor as they have won on their last three visits to Lancashire.
In the history of the game, Burnley hold the edge as they have recorded 43 victories compared to Leicester's 32, while 30 of the matches have ended in draws.
We say: Burnley 1-2 Leicester
Leicester are one of the form teams of the division at the moment and that could continue in their match against Dyche's men, who are in dire need of a victory to reignite their survival hopes.
The Foxes will enter the match with confidence which should see them continue their excellent run of results at the expense of Burnley.
No Data Analysis info
